Former cabinet colleagues George Osborne and Ed Davey have become involved in a war of words over disputed plans to rezone Kingston and Surbiton stations.

Surrey Comet:

George Osborne with Metro Bank workers this morning

The former Chancellor visited Metro Bank in Kingston today, in support of Conservative candidate James Berry's bid to defeat the incumbent Liberal Democrat Mr Davey in May's general election.  

When asked by the Surrey Comet about Mr Davey's claims that he had ignored repeated calls for Kingston and Surbiton to be included in Zone 5 instead of Zone 6, Mr Osborne said: "We have sat around the cabinet table together for five years and he has countless opportunities every week to raise it with me directly and he never has.

"What I would suggest if people want a strong member of parliament for Kingston that is actually going to fight and deliver for this area then vote for James [Berry]."

But Mr Davey accused Mr Osborne of "telling porkies" - and has produced a letter he wrote to Mr Osborne asking for rezoning and a picture of himself outside 11 Downing Street delivering a petition about Kingston being in zone 6.

Mr Davey: "The picture shows me delivering over 3,000 petition signatures to George Osborne earlier this year.

"You will note I am standing outside Number 11 Downing Street - where the Chancellor of the Exchequer lives and works.

"I have written to him about the issue and I can’t believe he would lie like this.

"The local and national Conservatives have been useless on this vital issue throughout."

Mr Davey's letter, dated March 10 2015, reads: "I understand from the Chief Secretary that you have been aware for some time of the case for re-zoning Kingston and Surbiton stations from zone 6 to zone 5, and my campaign for this.

"I also understand [...] that from the Liberal Democrat side of the Coalition, we have asked for this re-zoning on at least 3 occasions and you have ruled against each time. 

"I would also note that local Conservatives have over the years also started to campaign on rezoning, albeit some time after I launched the campaign.

"The Conservative MP for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith, supports the proposal for rezoning. I also note that, in the spirit of Coalition, I teamed up with Chris Grayling, who also has a similar rezoning case in his constituency [Epsom and Ewell].

"I suggested both campaigns should be accommodated, in the interest of balance. Yet still no progress."

Surrey Comet:

Edward Davey's letter to George Osborne

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis was quick to jump to Mr Osborne's defence, tweeting: "Rezonegate. All Ed Davey shouldndo (sic) is publish Chancellor’s response to Davey’s letter saying that he is "blocking the rezoning." Simple."

If Kingston and Surbiton were rezoned the cost of a weekly travel card into London would go down £3.90 from £58.60 to £54.70.

For more stories visit www.surreycomet.co.uk/generalelection2015